THE Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has criticized the Edo State House of Assembly for suspending the chairpersons of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja today, Fagbemi emphasized that only the legislative arm of local governments has the authority to dismiss or suspend council chairpersons.
He asserted that, under the current legal framework, local government chairmen cannot be removed or suspended by any governor without adhering to due process.
Fagbemi pointed out that state houses of assembly do not possess the power to suspend or remove council chairpersons.
On Tuesday, the Edo State House of Assembly suspended the chairpersons and their deputies for two months, citing allegations of gross misconduct.
The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, noted that Governor Monday Okpebholo had submitted a petition to the assembly regarding the chairpersons’ failure to provide the state government with their councils’ financial records.